Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the recommendation of the Board of Trustees, Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, announced the appointment of Jane Sargus as Executive Director of Open World Leadership Center, effective January 8, 2018. She replaces Ambassador John O’Keefe, who will now serve as Counsel to Open World’s Board of Trustees.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Open World Leadership Center celebrates ten years of programs in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Since 2007, Open World continues to create a variety of programs for Members of Parliament, Rule of Law, and Civic Leaders in these four countries. Alumni from these programs have made invaluable contributions to their communities and experienced advancement in their careers.

Additional information on each country being honored is included below:

OVERLAND PARK, KS—Today, Open World Leadership Center will honor its Kansas City Metro Area hosts associated with the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES) at the University of Kansas and Global Ties KC.

Currently, CREES is hosting four Ukrainian Members of Parliament from October 26 -November 1, 2017 in the Kansas City Metro Area. From March 17-25, 2017, Global Ties KC hosted a civic delegation of Ukrainian human rights professionals in the Kansas City Metro Area as well.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK —Today, Open World Leadership Center will honor federal judges and local hosts of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City (Club 29). Club 29 is hosting a delegation of judges from the Republic of Georgia in Oklahoma City from October 21-28, 2017. The theme for this week’s delegation is judicial practices and processes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Open World Leadership Center begins soliciting proposals for its 2018 exchange programs from U.S. based organizations with established foreign visitors programs or demonstrated ability to host foreign visitors.

Organizations submitting proposals are asked to design 10-day professional development programs for emerging political, civic, and community leaders from Eurasia. All professional development programs must link Open World delegates to national, regional, and local levels of governance and private sector activity in their community and/or state.